India on Saturday welcomed the summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) praised their initiative, saying their leadership showed commitment to peace.

The MEA said: “India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.” It added: “Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable.”

India calls for dialogue

The ministry underlined the importance of talks to resolve the conflict. “The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy,” the MEA noted. It also stressed: “The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.”

Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement on #Alaska Summit pic.twitter.com/X6XylznKB5

— Dr. Khurram Abbas (@itskhurramabbas) August 16, 2025

Alaska talks end without deal

Trump and Putin held three hours of talks at an Alaska air base on Friday. The leaders discussed the war in Ukraine but failed to reach a ceasefire deal.

Even so, Trump insisted that he would now aim for a full peace agreement. European leaders supported his plan for a new summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the table.

Zelenskyy to travel to Washington

Zelenskyy confirmed that he would travel to Washington on Monday. At the same time, European leaders signaled that they were ready to toughen sanctions against Russia after Trump briefed them on the summit.

Trump stays optimistic

Trump described the Alaska meeting as a success. On Truth Social, he wrote, “A great and very successful day in Alaska!” He also said European leaders backed his proposal for a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy.

Explaining his approach, Trump said, “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up.”

Trump confirmed he would meet Zelenskyy on Monday. He added: “If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people’s lives will be saved.”

Allies join follow-up talks

After the Alaska summit, Trump first spoke directly with Zelenskyy. Later, he joined a call with European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO